Hybrid corn plant and seed (3279)

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, there is provided a hybrid corn plant, designated as 3279, produced by crossing two Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred corn lines. This invention thus relates to the hybrid seed 3279, the hybrid plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and trivial modifications of hybrid 3279. This hybrid is characterized by having excellent stress tolerance with high dependable yield. 3279 has good grain appearance and test weight with very good roots and adequate stalks. It is widely adapted across the Central Corn Belt.

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 07/831,240, filed Feb. 3, 1992, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of plant breeding, specifically hybrid corn breeding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety/hybrid various desirable traits of the parental lines. For field crops, these traits may include resistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat and drought, reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomic quality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plant characteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growth rate, maturity, and fruit size, is important.

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of the plant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinating if pollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower on a different plant.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for many generations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce a uniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between two homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybrid plants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will not be uniform.

Corn plants (Zea mays L.) can be bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Corn has male flowers, located on the tassel, and female flowers, located on the ear, on the same plant. Natural pollination occurs in corn when wind blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrude from the tops of the incipient ears.

The development of corn hybrids requires the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods are used to develop inbred lines from populations. Breeding programs combine desirable traits from two or more inbred lines or various broad-based sources into breeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determine which have commercial potential.

Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, each of which may have one or more desirable characteristics that is lacking in the other or which complement the other. If the two original parents do not provide all of the desired characteristics, other sources can be included in the breeding population. In the pedigree method, superior plants are selfed and selected in successive generations. In the succeeding generations the heterozygous condition gives way to homogeneous lines as a result of self-pollination and selection. Typically in the pedigree method of breeding five or more generations of selfing and selection is practiced. F₁ →F₂ ; F₂ →F₃ ; F₃ →F₄ ; F₄ →F₅, etc.

A hybrid corn variety is the cross of two inbred lines, each of which may have one or more desirable characteristics lacked by the other or which complement the other. The hybrid progeny of the first generation is designated F₁. In the development of hybrids only the F₁ hybrid plants are sought. The F₁ hybrid is more vigorous than its inbred parents. This hybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifested in many ways, including increased vegetative growth and increased yield.

The development of a hybrid corn variety involves three steps: (1) the selection of superior plants from various germplasm pools; (2) the selfing of the superior plants for several generations to produce a series of inbred lines, which although different from each other, breed true and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with unrelated inbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁). During the inbreeding process the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor is restored when two unrelated inbred lines are crossed to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁). An important consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between any two inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that give the best hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parents is maintained.

A single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed to produce the F₁ progeny. A double cross hybrid, is produced from four inbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F₁ hybrids are crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). Much of the hybrid vigor exhibited by F₁ hybrids is lost in the next generation (F₂). Consequently, seed from hybrid varieties is not used for planting stock.

Hybrid corn seed can be produced by manual detasseling. Alternate strips of two inbred varieties of corn are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearing tassels are removed from one of the inbreds (female). Providing that there is sufficient isolation from sources of foreign corn pollen, the ears of the detasseled inbred will be fertilized only from pollen from the other inbred (male), and the resulting seed is therefore hybrid and will form hybrid plants.

The laborious detasseling process can be avoided by using cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMS inbred are fertilized with pollen from another inbred that is not male-sterile. Pollen from the second inbred can contribute genes that make the hybrid plants male-fertile. Usually seed from detasseled normal corn and CMS produced seed of the same hybrid is blended to insure that adequate pollen loads are available for fertilization when the hybrid plants are grown.

Corn is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goal of plant breeding is to develop stable high yielding corn hybrids that are agronomically sound. The reasons for this goal are obvious: to maximize the amount of grain produced on the land used and to supply food for both animals and humans.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a hybrid corn plant, designated as 3279, produced by crossing two Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred corn lines. This invention thus relates to the hybrid seed 3279, the hybrid plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and trivial modifications of hybrid 3279. This hybrid is characterized by having excellent stress tolerance with high dependable yield. 3279 has good grain appearance and test weight with very good roots and adequate stalks. It is widely adapted across the Central Corn Belt.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples that follow, a number of terms are used herein. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms, the following definitions are provided:

ABS=ABSOLUTE MEASUREMENT. The % mean is the percentage of mean for the experiments in which the hybrid was grown.

ADVANTAGE=The advantage of the hybrid to be patented compared to another hybrid for yield (bushels per acre), moisture (drier is an advantage), income, population, stand (absence of stalk lodging is an advantage), roots (absence of root lodging is an advantage), and test weight, respectively, in strip tests.

BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were not barren (lack ears).

B/STK=BRITTLE STALKS RATING. A 1-9 rating where a 1, 5, and 9 represent serious, average, and little or no potential for brittle stalk breakage.

BRT STK=BRITTLE STALKS. A measure of the stalk breakage near the time of pollination, and an indication of whether a hybrid would snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Data are presented as percentage of plants that did not snap.

BU ACR=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Actual yield of the grain at harvest adjusted to 15.5% moisture.

D/D=DRYDOWN. This represents the relative rate at which a hybrid will reach acceptable harvest moisture compared to other hybrids on a 1-9 rating scale. A high score indicates a hybrid that dries relatively fast while a low score indicates a hybrid that dries slowly.

D/E=DROPPED EARS RATING. This is a 1-9 rating where a 1, 5, and 9 represent serious, average, and little or no ear droppage potential, respectively.

DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS. This is a measure of the number of dropped ears per plot and represents the percentage of plants that did not drop ears prior to harvest.

D/T=DROUGHT TOLERANCE. This represents a 1-9 rating for drought tolerance, and is based on data obtained under stress conditions. A high score indicates good drought tolerance and a low score indicates poor drought tolerance.

E/HT=EAR HEIGHT RATING. A 1-9 rating with 1, 5, and 9 representing a very low, average, and very high ear placement, respectively.

EAR HT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to the highest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured in inches.

EST CNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishment in the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on a per plot basis for the hybrid.

GDU BL=GDU TO BLACKLAYER. This is the number of growing degree units required for the hybrid to reach blacklayer from the time that it was planted. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method, where the heat units for a 24-hour period are: ##EQU1##

The highest maximum used is 86° F. and the lowest minimum used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certain number of GDUs to reach various stages of plant development.

GDU SHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heat units required for a hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time of planting.

GDU SLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for a hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants with silk emergence from time of planting.

GRN APP=G/A=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the general quality of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factors as the color of the harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any cracked grain. High scores indicate good grain quality and low scores indicate poor grain quality.

H/POP=YIELD AT HIGH DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively high plant densities on a 1-9 relative rating system with a higher number indicating the hybrid responds well to high plant densities for yield relative to other hybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, and very good yield response, respectively, to increased plant density.

INCOME/ACRE: Relative income per acre assuming drying costs of two cents per point above 15.5 percent harvest moisture and market price of $2.25 per bushel.

L/POP=YIELD AT LOW DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively low plant densities on a 1-9 relative system with a higher number indicating the hybrid responds well to low plant densities for yield relative to other hybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, and very good yield response, respectively, to low plant density.

MST=MOIST=HARVEST MOISTURE. Harvest moisture is the actual percentage moisture of the grain at harvest.

MST RM=MOISTURE RM. This represents the Comparative Relative Maturity Rating (CRM) for the hybrid and is based on the harvest moisture of the grain relative to a standard set of checks of previously determined Comparative RM rating. Linear regression analysis is used to computer this rating.

P/HT=PLANT HEIGHT RATING. This is a 1-9 rating with a 1, 5, and 9 representing a very short, average, and very tall hybrid, respectively.

PLT HT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant from the ground to the tip of the tassel in inches.

POP K/ACRE: Plants per 0.001 acre.

PERCENT WINS: For yield, moisture, income, populations, stand, roots, and test weight, it would be the percentage of comparisons where the hybrid to be patented yielded more, had lower harvest moisture percentage, had greater income per acre, had better stalks, had better roots, and had higher test weight, respectively, in strip tests.

R/L=ROOT LODGING RATING. A 1-9 rating where a higher score indicates less root lodging potential (1 is very poor, 5 is intermediate, and 9 is very good, respectively, for resistance to root lodging).

ROOT (%): Percentage of plants that did not root lodge (lean greater than 30 degrees from vertical) taken on strip test plots.

RT LDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that do not root lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately 30° angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.

S/L=STALK LODGING RATING. This is a 1-9 rating where a higher score indicates less stalk lodging potential (1 is very poor, 5 is intermediate, and 9 is very good, respectively, for resistance to stalk lodging).

SDG VGR=S/VIG=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amount of vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage (approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor and a low score indicates poorer vigor.

STA GRN=STGR=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near the time of black layer formation (physiological maturity) using a 1-9 visual rating. A high score indicates better late-season plant health and a low score indicates poor plant health.

STAND (%): Percentage of plants that did not break (lodge) below the ear taken on strip test plots.

STK LDG=STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage) as measured by either natural lodging or pushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that break below the ear.

T/WT=TEST WEIGHT RATING. This is a 1-9 relative rating with a 1, 5, and 9 indicating very low, average, and very high test weight, respectively.

TST WTA=TEST WEIGHT. The measure of the weight of the grain in pounds for a given volume (bushel) adjusted for percent moisture.

YLD=YIELD FOR MATURITY. This represents a 1-9 rating for a hybrid's yield potential. 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, and very high yield potential, respectively, relative to other hybrids of a similar maturity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 is a single cross, yellow endosperm, dent corn hybrid with superior yield in its maturity. It is well suited for average and stress environments. 3279 has good grain appearance and test weight. It has very good roots with adequate stalks. It has excellent tolerance to Goss' wilt and head smut. The hybrid can have some ear droppage and has poor tolerance to Northern leaf blight and Anthracnose root rot.

This hybrid has the following characteristics based on the descriptive data collected primarily at Johnston, Iowa.

    __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION                                                HYBRID = PIONEER BRAND 3279                                                    Type: Dent                                                                            Region Best Adapted: Central Corn Belt                                  __________________________________________________________________________     A.                                                                               Maturity:                                                                      Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating (harvest moisture):                                                         123                                            GDU's to Physiological Maturity (black layer):                                                                 2900                                           GDU's to 50% Silk:              1429                                         B.                                                                               Plant Characteristics:                                                         Plant height (to tassel tip):   271 cm                                         Length of top ear internode:    14 cm                                          Number of ears per stalk:       Single                                         Ear height (to base of top ear):                                                                               84 cm                                          Number of tillers:              None                                           Cytoplasm type:                 Normal                                       C.                                                                               Leaf:                                                                          Color:                          Dark Green (B14)                               Angle from Stalk:               <30 degrees                                    Marginal Waves:                 Few (WF9)                                      Number of Leaves (mature plants):                                                                              19                                             Sheath Pubescence:              Light (W22)                                    Longitudinal Creases:           Few (OH56A)                                    Length (Ear node leaf):         110 cm                                         Width (widest point, ear node leaf):                                                                           11 cm                                        D.                                                                               Tassel:                                                                        Number lateral branches:        13                                             Branch Angle from central spike:                                                                               >45 degrees                                    Pollen Shed:                    Heavy (KY21)                                   Peduncle Length (top leaf to basal branches):                                                                  22 cm                                          Anther Color:                   Yellow                                         Glume Color:                    Green                                        E.                                                                               Ear (Husked Ear Data Except When Stated Otherwise):                            Length:                         19 cm                                          Weight:                         273 gm                                         Mid-point Diameter:             51 mm                                          Silk Color:                     Yellow                                         Husk Extension (Harvest stage): Medium (Barely covering                                                        ear)                                           Husk Leaf:                      Long (>15 cm)                                  Taper of Ear:                   Slight                                         Position of Shank (dry husks):  upright                                        Kernel Rows: Straight, Distinct Number = 20                                    Husk Color (fresh):             Light Green                                    Husk Color (dry):               Buff                                           Shank Length:                   13 cm                                          Shank (No. of internodes):      8                                            F.                                                                               Kernel (Dried):                                                                Size (from ear mid-point)                                                      Length:                         13 mm                                          Width:                          7 mm                                           Thick:                          5 mm                                           Shape Grade (% rounds):         <20                                            Pericarp Color:                 Colorless                                      Aleurone Color:                 Homozygous Yellow                              Endosperm Color:                Yellow                                         Endosperm Type:                 Normal Starch                                  Gm Wt/100 Seeds (unsized):      33 gm                                        G.                                                                               Cob:                                                                           Diameter at mid-point:          28 mm                                          Strength:                       Strong                                         Color:                          Red                                          H.                                                                               Diseases:                                                                      Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV = Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus                                                      Resistant                                      and MDMV = Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus):                                          Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV & MCDV = Maize Dwarf                                                          Susceptible                                    Virus):                                                                        Anthracnose Stalk Rot (C. graminicola):                                                                        Intermediate                                   S. Leaf Blight (B. maydis):     Intermediate                                   N. Leaf Blight (E. turcicum):   Intermediate                                   Gray Leaf Spot (C. zeae):       Intermediate                                   Goss's Wilt (C. nebraskense):   Highly Resistant                               Fusarium Ear Mold (F. moniliforme):                                                                            Resistant                                    I.                                                                               Insects:                                                                       European Corn Borer-1 Leaf Damage (Pre-flowering):                                                             Intermediate                                   European Corn Borer-2 (Post-flowering):                                                                        Susceptible                                    The above descriptions are based on a scale of 1-9, 1 being                    highly susceptible, 9 being highly resistant.                                  S (Susceptible): A score of 1-3.                                               I (Intermediate): A score of 4-5.                                              R (Resistant): A score of 6-7.                                                 H (Highly Resistant): a score of 8-9. Highly resistant                         does not imply the hybrid is immune.                                         J.                                                                               Variety Most Closely Resembling:                                               Character                       Hybrid                                         Maturity                        Pioneer Brand 3245                             Usage                           Pioneer Brand 3245                           __________________________________________________________________________

In interpreting the foregoing color designations, reference may be had to the Munsell Glossy Book of Color, a standard color reference.

Items B, C, D, E, F, and G are based on a maximum of two reps of data primarily from Johnston, Iowa.

This invention includes the hybrid corn seed of 3279, the hybrid corn plant produced from the hybrid corn seed, and variants, mutants, and modifications of 3279. This invention also relates to the use of 3279 in producing three-way and double cross hybrids.

As used herein, the term "plant" includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell or tissue culture from which corn plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks and the like.

Tissue culture of corn is described in European Patent Application, publication number 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Corn tissue culture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize," Maize for Biological Research, (Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982) at 367-372 and in Duncan, et al., "The Production of Callus Capable of Plant Regeneration from Immature Embryos of Numerous Zea Mays Genotypes,", 165 Planta 322-332 (1985).

Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta, (1985) 165:322-332 reflects that 97% of the plants cultured which produced callus were capable of plant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybrids produced 91% regenerable callus which produced plants. In a further study in 1988, Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988), 7:262-265 reports several media additions which enhance regenerability of callus of two inbred lines. Other published reports also indicated that "nontraditional" tissues are capable of producing somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesis from glume callus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports, 6:345-347 (1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissue cultures of maize leaf segments. Thus, it is clear from the literature that the state of the art is such that these methods of obtaining plants are, and were, "conventional" in the sense that they are routinely used and have a very high rate of success.

USES OF CORN

Corn is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material in industry. The food uses of corn, in addition to human consumption of corn kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries. The principal products of corn dry milling are grits, meal and flour. The corn wet-milling industry can provide starch, syrups, and dextrose for food use. Corn oil is recovered from corn germ, which is a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries.

Corn is also used extensively as livestock feed primarily to beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of corn are mainly from corn starch in the wet-milling industry and corn flour in the dry-milling industry. The industrial applications of corn starch and flour are based on functional properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesive properties, and ability to suspend particles. Corn starch and flour have application in the paper and textile industries. Other industrial uses include applications in adhesives, building materials, foundry binders, laundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other mining applications.

Plant parts other than the grain of corn are also used in industry. Stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs are used for fuel, to make charcoal.

The seed of 3279, the hybrid corn plant produced from the seed, and various parts of the hybrid corn plant can be utilized for human food, livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.

The plant of 3279 can be produced from seed of 3279, which is available to the public through Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa. Alternatively, multiple plants can be produced from a single seed by germinating the seed to form a plant, culturing nodes from the plant as they form, and regenerating plants from the cultures, ad infinitum.

EXAMPLE 1 Research Comparisons for Pioneer Hybrid 3279

Comparisons of the characteristics for Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 were made against Pioneer Brand Hybrids 3189, 3180, 3162, and 3140; Dekalb Brand Hybrid DK656; Funk's Brand Hybrid G4673B; and NC+ Brand Hybrid NC6414. These hybrids are grown in the Central and Western Corn Belt and have similar maturity. Table 1A compares 3279 to Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3189. The results show 3279 has higher yield, lower grain harvest moisture and similar test weight compared to 3189. 3279 has more barren plants than 3189. 3279 is taller with higher ear placement and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than 3189. 3279 has better seedling vigor and a higher early stand count than 3189. 3279 has better grain appearance, but poorer stay green than 3189. 3279 is more susceptible to stalk lodging, but has better resistance to root lodging and fewer brittle stalks than 3189.

Table 1B shows that Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 has higher yield, lower grain harvest moisture, and higher test weight than Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3180. 3279 and 3180 have similar plant height, but 3279 has a lower ear placement. 3279 flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than 3180. 3279 has better grain appearance than 3180. 3279 has better stalk and root lodging resistance and fewer brittle stalks than 3180.

Table 1C compares Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 to Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3162. The hybrids yield similarly but 3279 has lower grain harvest moisture and test weight. 3279 has fewer barren plants, is taller, and has higher ear placement than 3162. 3279 has better stay green and more resistance to stalk lodging, but has more susceptibility to root lodging and more brittle stalks than 3162.

Table 1D compares Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 to Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3140. 3279 has higher yield, lower grain harvest moisture, and higher test weight than 3140. 3279 is a shorter hybrid with lower ear placement compared to 3140. 3279 flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than 3140. 3279 has better grain appearance, poorer stay green, less resistance to stalk lodging and more resistance to root lodging than 3140.

In Table 1E, a comparison of Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 and Dekalb Brand Hybrid DK656, the results show 3279 has higher yield, lower grain harvest moisture, and higher test weight. The hybids have similar plant height, but 3279 has lower ear placement. 3279 has significantly better seedling vigor. 3279 flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than DK656. 3279 has better grain appearance and stay green, more resistance to stalk and root lodging, and more brittle stalks than DK656.

Table 1F shows Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 has lower yield and grain harvest moisture and slightly higher test weight than Funk's Brand Hybrid G4673B. 3279 has fewer barren plants than G4673B. 3279 has better seedling vigor than G4673B. 3279 has poorer stay green but better root lodging resistance than G4673B.

Table 1G compares Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 to NC+ Brand Hybrid NC6414. The results show 3279 has lower yield and grain harvest moisture, but higher test weight than NC6414. 3279 is a shorter hybrid with lower ear placement and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than NC6414. 3279 has better seedling vigor than NC6414. 3279 has poorer stay green, less resistance to stalk lodging, more resistance to root lodging, and fewer brittle stalks than NC6414.

                                      TABLE 1A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 - 3279                                                              VARIETY #2 - 3189                                                              __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU      BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                        VAR ACR ACR MST PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                                DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   163.3                                                                              106 19.6                                                                               88.7                                                                               110.3                                                                              45.7                                                                               6.3 58.2                                                                               99.4                                       2   153.5                                                                              100 20.7                                                                               92.7                                                                               105.3                                                                              43.0                                                                               4.9 57.7                                                                               99.8                                       LOCS                                                                               165 165 165 4   89  89  72  122 65                                         REPS                                                                               289 289 289 9   146 146 129 203 108                                        DIFF                                                                               9.7 6   1.1 3.9 5.1 2.7 1.5 0.6 0.4                                        PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .594                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .194                                                                               .023+                              __________________________________________________________________________                 GDU  GDU TST  GRN STA  STK RT   BRT                                        VAR SHD  SLK WTA  APP GRN  LDG LDG  STK                                DEPT    #   ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1424 1455                                                                               59.0 7.6 5.8  94.6                                                                               97.7 97.7                                       2   1430 1481                                                                               59.0 7.1 6.9  96.3                                                                               96.5 93.5                                       LOCS                                                                               51   15  162  91  108  153 48   8                                          REPS                                                                               80   19  283  149 183  270 75   17                                         DIFF                                                                               6    26  0.0  0.5 1.0  1.8 1.2  4.2                                        PROB                                                                               .096*                                                                               .049+                                                                              .930 .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                               .000#                                                                              .315 .403                               __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 1B                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 - 3279                                                              VARIETY #2 - 3180                                                              __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU      BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                        VAR ACR ACR MST PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                                DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   159.2                                                                              105 19.8                                                                               96.9                                                                               106.8                                                                              44.5                                                                               6.2 58.4                                                                               99.4                                       2   153.4                                                                              101 20.3                                                                               97.1                                                                               106.9                                                                              45.0                                                                               6.2 58.0                                                                               99.8                                       LOCS                                                                               229 229 229 5   113 113 89  146 114                                        REPS                                                                               385 385 385 11  183 183 155 240 188                                        DIFF                                                                               5.8 4   0.5 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.5                                        PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .950                                                                               .897                                                                               .088*                                                                              .516                                                                               .330                                                                               .000#                              __________________________________________________________________________                 GDU  GDU TST  GRN STA  STK RT   BRT                                        VAR SHD  SLK WTA  APP GRN  LDG LDG  STK                                DEPT    #   ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1414 1460                                                                               59.0 7.7 5.5  93.6                                                                               96.4 98.6                                       2   1442 1493                                                                               57.6 6.6 5.6  92.6                                                                               91.8 97.0                                       LOCS                                                                               64   19  226  130 128  210 59   14                                         REPS                                                                               101  26  379  208 211  354 105  29                                         DIFF                                                                               29   33  1.3  1.1 0.1  1.0 4.5  1.6                                        PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                               .001#                                                                              .000#                                                                               .000#                                                                              .312 .106                                                                               .033+                                                                               .375                               __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 1C                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 - 3279                                                              VARIETY #2 - 3162                                                              __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU      BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                        VAR ACR ACR MST PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                                DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   162.3                                                                              105 19.3                                                                               92.2                                                                               105.3                                                                              44.6                                                                               5.9 60.4                                                                               99.4                                       2   162.9                                                                              105 21.3                                                                               89.8                                                                               99.1                                                                               41.6                                                                               6.2 60.7                                                                               99.8                                       LOCS                                                                               188 188 189 9   106 106 83  124 99                                         REPS                                                                               322 322 323 17  179 179 142 203 165                                        DIFF                                                                               0.6 1   2.0 2.4 6.2 3.0 0.2 0.3 0.3                                        PROB                                                                               .683                                                                               .594                                                                               .000#                                                                              .514                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .108                                                                               .488                                                                               .019+                              __________________________________________________________________________                 GDU  GDU TST  GRN STA  STK RT   BRT                                        VAR SHD  SLK WTA  APP GRN  LDG LDG  STK                                DEPT    #   ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1414 1443                                                                               59.3 7.6 5.9  94.5                                                                               97.5 97.4                                       2   1390 1431                                                                               59.5 7.5 5.5  93.4                                                                               98.3 98.1                                       LOCS                                                                               53   17  183  71  113  173 69   10                                         REPS                                                                               87   25  312  107 185  291 116  21                                         DIFF                                                                               24   12  0.2  0.1 0.5  1.1 0.8  0.7                                        PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                               .221                                                                               .069*                                                                               .319                                                                               .009#                                                                               .099*                                                                              .302 .502                               __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 1D                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 - 3279                                                              VARIETY #2 - 3140                                                              __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU      PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                            VAR ACR ACR MST HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                                    DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                    __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   152.2                                                                              106 19.2                                                                               103.2                                                                              44.0                                                                               6.1 52.5                                                                               99.2                                           2   146.8                                                                              103 20.4                                                                               107.9                                                                              52.1                                                                               5.4 52.2                                                                               98.5                                           LOCS                                                                               84  84  87  39  39  37  57  41                                             REPS                                                                               130 130 136 63  63  60  93  65                                             DIFF                                                                               5.4 3   1.2 4.7 8.0 0.7 0.3 0.7                                            PROB                                                                               .015+                                                                              .144                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .001#                                                                              .570                                                                               .074*                                  __________________________________________________________________________                 GDU  GDU TST  GRN STA  STK RT                                              VAR SHD  SLK WTA  APP GRN  LDG LDG                                     DEPT    #   ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS                                     __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1415 1470                                                                               58.7 7.8 4.4  90.6                                                                               98.2                                            2   1485 1555                                                                               57.2 7.4 5.8  93.7                                                                               93.5                                            LOCS                                                                               22   5   87   70  60   84  14                                              REPS                                                                               34   6   136  114 98   132 27                                              DIFF                                                                               70   85  1.5  0.4 1.4  3.2 4.7                                             PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                               .003#                                                                              .000#                                                                               .006#                                                                              .000#                                                                               .019+                                                                              .148                                    __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 1E                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 = 3279                                                              VARIETY #2 = DK656                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU      BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                        VAR ACR ACR MST PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                                DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   159.2                                                                              106 20.5                                                                               97.6                                                                               105.1                                                                              44.1                                                                               6.5 58.5                                                                               99.5                                       2   154.2                                                                              102 21.3                                                                               97.6                                                                               105.4                                                                              49.3                                                                               5.4 59.2                                                                               99.6                                       LOCS                                                                               69  69  69  2   27  27  22  41  28                                         REPS                                                                               132 132 132 5   54  54  40  79  51                                         DIFF                                                                               5.0 4   0.8 0.0 0.3 5.3 1.1 0.7 0.1                                        PROB                                                                               .056*                                                                              .011+                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .693                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .456                                                                               .776                               __________________________________________________________________________                 GDU  GDU TST  GRN STA  STK RT   BRT                                        VAR SHD  SLK WTA  APP GRN  LDG LDG  STK                                DEPT    #   ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1396 1363                                                                               58.7 7.8 5.6  95.0                                                                               96.6 97.3                                       2   1419 1420                                                                               57.6 6.9 3.9  93.5                                                                               91.9 98.8                                       LOCS                                                                               14   3   68   19  26   64  22   7                                          REPS                                                                               28   5   130  38  55   125 39   16                                         DIFF                                                                               22   57  1.2  0.9 1.6  1.4 4.6  1.5                                        PROB                                                                               .003#                                                                               .169                                                                               .000#                                                                               .008#                                                                              .000#                                                                               .164                                                                               .142 .116                               __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 1F                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 = 3279                                                              VARIETY #2 = G4673B                                                            __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU      BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                        VAR ACR ACR MST PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                                DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   174.1                                                                              102 16.6                                                                               97.6                                                                               102.7                                                                              40.0                                                                               6.4 64.6                                                                               98.2                                       2   177.1                                                                              103 18.3                                                                               95.5                                                                               103.5                                                                              42.5                                                                               5.9 65.7                                                                               99.6                                       LOCS                                                                               35  35  35  2   16  16  16  25  2                                          REPS                                                                               73  73  73  5   35  35  29  50  5                                          DIFF                                                                               3.0 1   1.7 2.1 0.8 2.5 0.5 1.1 1.5                                        PROB                                                                               .322                                                                               .587                                                                               .000#                                                                              .630                                                                               .433                                                                               .005#                                                                              .056*                                                                              .188                                                                               .632                               __________________________________________________________________________                 GDU  GDU TST  GRN STA  STK RT   BRT                                        VAR SHD  SLK WTA  APP GRN  LDG LDG  STK                                DEPT    #   ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1409 1385                                                                               60.8 9.0 4.8  93.5                                                                               94.9 98.0                                       2   1403 1385                                                                               60.3 8.8 6.0  93.7                                                                               76.9 98.1                                       LOCS                                                                               7    1   32   1   16   28  5    5                                          REPS                                                                               16   2   67   4   36   61  11   12                                         DIFF                                                                               6    0   0.5  0.3 1.3  0.1 18.0 0.1                                        PROB                                                                               .356     .115     .094*                                                                               .917                                                                               .075*                                                                               .861                               __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 1G                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 = 3279                                                              VARIETY #2 = NC6414                                                            __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU      BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                        VAR ACR ACR MST PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                                DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   174.1                                                                              102 16.6                                                                               97.6                                                                               102.7                                                                              40.0                                                                               6.4 64.6                                                                               98.2                                       2   176.8                                                                              103 17.8                                                                               97.7                                                                               103.1                                                                              43.2                                                                               5.5 64.7                                                                               100.0                                      LOCS                                                                               35  35  35  2   16  16  16  25  2                                          REPS                                                                               73  73  73  5   35  35  29  50  5                                          DIFF                                                                               2.7 1   1.2 0.2 0.5 3.2 1.0 0.1 1.8                                        PROB                                                                               .497                                                                               .618                                                                               .000#                                                                              .890                                                                               .540                                                                               .000#                                                                              .008#                                                                              .861                                                                               .500                               __________________________________________________________________________                 GDU  GDU TST  GRN STA  STK RT   BRT                                        VAR SHD  SLK WTA  APP GRN  LDG LDG  STK                                DEPT    #   ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS ABS  ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1409 1385                                                                               60.8 9.0 4.8  93.5                                                                               94.9 98.0                                       2   1424 1410                                                                               58.6 9.0 5.4  95.0                                                                               93.2 93.3                                       LOCS                                                                               7    1   32   1   16   28  5    5                                          REPS                                                                               16   2   67   4   36   61  11   12                                         DIFF                                                                               14   25  2.2  0.0 0.7  1.5 1.7  4.7                                        PROB                                                                               .174     .000#    .060*                                                                               .246                                                                               .547 .449                               __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

EXAMPLE 2 Strip Test Data for Hybrid 3279

Comparison data was collected from strip tests that were grown by farmers. Each hybrid was grown in strips of 4, 6, 8, 2, etc. rows in fields depending upon the size of the planter used. The data was collected from strip tests that had the hybrids in the same area and weighed. The moisture percentage was determined and bushels per acre was adjusted to 15.5 percent moisture. The number of comparisons represent the number of locations or replications for the two hybrids that were grown in the same field in close proximity and compared.

Comparison strip testing was done between Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 and Pioneer Brand Hybrids 3189, 3180, 3162, 3140 and NC+ Brand Hybrid NC6414. The comparisons came from all the hybrid's adapted growing areas in the United States.

These results are presented in Table 2. The results show Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 had a yield advantage over compared hybrids except Pioneer 3162 and NC+ Hybrid NC6414 where it had a disadvantage of 3.7 and 3.2 bushels per acre, respectively. 3279 had a moisture advantage over all hybrids compared. 3279 showed a greater income advantage to the farmer based on adjusted gross income over all hybrids compared except Pioneer 3162 and NC+ Hybrid NC6414 where the disadvantage was $1.57 and $0.86 per acre, respectively.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     PIONEER HYBRID 3279 VS PIONEER HYBRIDS 3189, 3180, 3162,                       AND 3140; AND NC+ BRAND HYBRID NC6414                                          FROM 1991 STRIP TESTS                                                                                    Income/                                                                             Pop  Stand                                                                              Roots                                                                              Test                               Brand        Product                                                                             Yield                                                                              Moist                                                                              Acre K/Acre                                                                              (%) (%) Wt                                 __________________________________________________________________________     PIONEER      3279 166.5                                                                              17.7                                                                               407.24                                                                              23.5 94  99  58.5                               PIONEER      3189 165.0                                                                              19.1                                                                               398.31                                                                              24.3 96  94  58.3                               Advantage         1.5 1.4 8.93 -0.8 -2  5   0.2                                Number of Comparisons                                                                            53  53  53   27   21  21  46                                 Percent Wins      52  71  54   18   14  23  54                                 Probability of Difference                                                                        62  99  96   95   60  83  77                                 PIONEER      3279 152.6                                                                              18.0                                                                               373.42                                                                              23.8 92  92  58.6                               PIONEER      3180 143.1                                                                              18.7                                                                               347.50                                                                              24.4 91  92  57.0                               Advantage         9.5 0.7 25.92                                                                               -0.6 1   0   1.6                                Number of Comparisons                                                                            97  97  97   62   46  29  65                                 Percent Wins      76  69  81   35   43  13  87                                 Probability of Difference                                                                        99  99  99   95   42  21  99                                 PIONEER      3279 158.5                                                                              18.2                                                                               386.81                                                                              24.3 93  97  58.5                               PIONEER      3162 162.2                                                                              20.5                                                                               388.38                                                                              24.3 90  97  58.5                               Advantage         -3.7                                                                               2.3 -1.57                                                                               0.0  3   0   0.0                                Number of Comparisons                                                                            178 178 178  117  91  73  163                                Percent Wins      39  94  48   40   54  10  37                                 Probability of Difference                                                                        99  99  40   11   99  16  20                                 PIONEER      3279 137.0                                                                              18.5                                                                               333.61                                                                              22.7 91  91  57.6                               PIONEER      3140 135.3                                                                              19.9                                                                               325.70                                                                              22.8 92  91  56.2                               Advantage         1.7 1.4 7.91 -0.1 -1  0   1.4                                Number of Comparisons                                                                            111 111 111  71   54  37  82                                 Percent Wins      52  82  54   43   31  27  79                                 Probability of Difference                                                                        72  99  96   14   35  18  99                                 PIONEER      3279 195.1                                                                              18.1                                                                               475.31                                                                              28.5 100 100 58.6                               NC+ HYBRIDS  6414 198.3                                                                              19.6                                                                               476.17                                                                              28.0 100 88  56.3                               Advantage         -3.2                                                                               1.5 -0.86                                                                               0.5  0   12  2.3                                Number of Comparisons                                                                            8   8   8    6    1   1   8                                  Percent Wins      37  87  37   50   0   100 87                                 Probability of Difference                                                                        50  98  7    54   0   0   99                                 PIONEER      3279 154.1                                                                              18.1                                                                               376.30                                                                              23.8 92  95  58.3                               WEIGHTED AVG      153.1                                                                              19.8                                                                               368.55                                                                              24.1 91  94  57.6                               Advantage         1.0 1.7 7.75 -0.3 1   1   0.7                                Number of Comparisons                                                                            453 453 453  287  215 161 370                                Percent Wins      51  83  57   37   42  17  59                                 Probability of Difference                                                                        81  99  99   91   96  80  99                                 __________________________________________________________________________      NOTE:                                                                          The probability values are useful in analyzing if there is a "real"            difference in the genetic potential of the products involved. High values      are desirable, with 95% considered significant for real differences.     

EXAMPLE 3 Comparison of Key Characteristics for Hybrid 3279

Characteristics of Pioneer Brand Hybrid 3279 are compared to Pioneer Brand Hybrids 3189, 3180, 3162, and 3140; Dekalb Brand Hybrid DK656; Funk's Brand Hybrid G4673B; and NC+ Brand Hybrid NC6414 in Table 3. The ratings given for most of the traits are on a 1 to 9 basis. In these cases 9 would be outstanding, while 1 would be poor for the given characteristics. These values are based on performance of a given hybrid relative to other Pioneer commercial, precommercial, and competitive hybrids that are grown in research and strip test trials. The traits characterized in Table 3 were defined previously and the ratings utilized not only research data, but experience trained researchers had in the field as well as sales experience with the hybrids in strip tests and the field. These scores reflect the hybrid's relative performance to other hybrids for the characteristics listed. The table shows 3279 yielded well for its maturity and has good drought tolerance. Relative to the other hybrids, 3279 has good root lodging resistance, good grain appearance, and good early growth. 3279's overall excellent yield and agronomic characteristics should make it an important hybrid in its area of adaptation.

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     HYBRID PATENT COMPARISONS--CHARACTERISTICS                                     Pioneer Hybrid 3279 vs Pioneer Hybrids 3189, 3180, 3162, 3140;                 Dekalb Brand Hybrid DK656; Funk's Brand Hybrid G4673B; and NC+ Brand           Hybrid NC6414                                                                  __________________________________________________________________________     HYBRID                                                                               SILK CRM                                                                              GDU SILK                                                                              BL CRM                                                                              GDU BL                                                                              CRM YLD                                                                               H/POP                                                                               L/POP                                                                              D/D                              __________________________________________________________________________     3279  112    1429   114  2900 114 9  9    9   3                                3189  114    1466   116  2970 117 7  7    5   7                                3180  115    1469   115  2925 116 7  7    8   5                                3162  111    1416   114  2901 118 9  9    8   4                                3140  119    1533   118  3084 118 9  6    9   7                                DK656 113    1482   111  2780 116 6  6    7   3                                G4673B                        117 7  7    7                                    NC6414                        117 7  7    5                                    __________________________________________________________________________     HYBRID                                                                               S/L R/L STGR                                                                               D/T T/WT                                                                               G/A                                                                               S/V P/HT                                                                               E/HT                                                                               D/E B/STK                             __________________________________________________________________________     3279  5   7   5   9   6   6  7   5   4   4   5                                 3189  7   6   8   8   6   4  3   3   2   6   5                                 3180  5   5   5   5   4   3  5   5   4   5   4                                 3162  5   7   5   7   6   8  6   4   3   5   7                                 3140  8   5   8   7   4   4  3   7   8   4   5                                 DK656 4   3   2   6   5   4  3   5   7   5   8                                 G4673B                                                                               4   4   4   5   5      5   6   7   5   7                                 NC6414                                                                               5   7   3   4   4      4   5   6   5   5                                 __________________________________________________________________________

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Applicants have made available to the public without restriction a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of Hybrid Corn Seed 3279 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. 20852 USA, ATCC Deposit No. 97151. The seeds deposited with the ATCC are taken from the same deposit maintained by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., 700 Capital Square, 400 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 since prior to the filing date of this application. This deposit of the Hybrid Corn Seed 3279 will be maintained without restriction in the ATCC depository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hybrid corn plant designated as 3279 produced from seed having ATCC accession No. 97151, and its plant parts.
 2. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of a hybrid corn plant designated as 3279 and produced from seed having ATCC accession No. 97151 wherein the plants regenerated from the culture have all the physiological and morphological characteristics of
 3279. 3. A hybrid corn plant and its plant parts having all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of 3279, and produced from seed having ATCC accession No.
 97151. 4. A tissue culture of a plant according to claim 2 wherein the tissue is selected from the group consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips, anthers, silk, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, husks, stalks, and cells thereof, and protoplasts.
 5. A corn plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 2, and its plant parts, said plant possessing all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the hybrid 3279, produced from seed having ATCC accession No.
 97151. 